RoboForm vs LastPass

RoboForm and LastPass are password managers that can also function as a digital wallet. They both provide password generation possibilities to decrease the risks of a password being figured out. They also make it possible to save false information into two-factor authentication settings so no one can figure out where you were born or what your mother’s maiden name happens to be to hack your data.

Although there are many similarities between these two password management solutions, there are some important differences as well. Here are the key points to think about.

1. Password Storage

RoboForm allows users to store their passwords locally. Passwords can also be stored online, if preferred. There is also the option to store passwords in both locations. Because of this feature, it is possible to use stored passwords while operating offline. That makes it possible to secure certain documents or sensitive files on computers where there may be some access to it, such as a work computer at home.

LastPass allows users to store their passwords online only. The passwords must be written down somewhere else if they are going to be used offline, which sort of eliminates the benefits of a password manager in the first place. This setup allows RoboForm to provide users with a USB password manager as well, which is a feature that LastPass does not offer.

2. Mobile Device Support

Once the passwords are entered into the manager, they will sync to these devices so that users can safely access their data or accounts from any data connection.

The difference here is cost. With RoboForm, access to this syncing feature is free. LastPass charges users $24 per year, marketed as being $2 per month, for the same type of syncing access.

3. Information Security

RoboForm states that they use “military-grade encryption” for their services. They use 256-bit AES encryption with PBKDF2 key-stretching algorithms. Password requirements include a length of 8 characters, with at least 4 of them being non-numeric. Encryption and decryption occurs locally, so stored data is effectively useless if it were to be stolen.

LastPass states that it uses the “same encryption algorithm that the U.S. government uses.” They encrypt the user’s vault before it goes to the server with 256-bit AES encryption. That means the data doesn’t leave the user’s computer or mobile device until it has been encrypted. That means even LastPass employees cannot see your information, even if they were to access it.

4. Password Improvement

RoboForm utilizes a service called zxcvbn to determine the strength of stored passwords. It estimates the strength of a password based on common names, dictionary entries, and historically common passwords and variations that are used. You will also receive a security score based on the number of reused passwords that are stored and how many duplicated logins you have across all websites.

LastPass offers everyone access to a password security tester. You just enter a password into the appropriate field and the page will automatically generate a result for you. For example: the password “[email protected]” is listed as being a “very strong” password, but the site recommends adding more characters to it to create a longer password.

“An easy way to make long passwords is to string together several words or phrases to create a passphrase.”

5. Additional Features

Both RoboForm and LastPass allow users to store additional information on their information management platforms. This makes it possible to store data so that fields can be auto-filled on certain websites. This information can include an option for a digital wallet that will auto-fill credit card information when making a purchase.

RoboForm has upgraded to a Version 8, which has brought many of its features in-line with what LastPass offers. This includes emergency access, sharing secure logins, CSV imports or exports, and password auditing.

RoboForm vs LastPass: Which is Better?

With the recent updates to RoboForm, the free version is essentially equal to the paid version of LastPass. For those looking to save a little cash, that means they are the winner of the RoboForm vs LastPass debate.

Even on an enterprise level solution, RoboForm is slightly cheaper. RoboForm is about $30 per year, per user license, for businesses. LastPass is $48 per user, per year, for the same type of licensing. A 5-year subscription through RoboForm offers a 25% discount on that rate. No such offer is available through LastPass.